Edit an environment variable

Summary

Instructions provided describe how to edit environment variables for various platforms.

Procedure

Warning:
The instructions below include making changes to essential parts of your operating system. It is recommended that you backup your operating system and files, including the registry, before proceeding. Consult with a qualified computer systems professional, if necessary.

Esri cannot guarantee results from incorrect modifications while following these instructions; therefore, use caution and proceed at your own risk.

• Windows 8, 10 and 11:

1. In the Search box, type control to open the Control Panel.
2. Click System and Security.
3. Under System and Security, click System.
4. In the System panel, click Advanced system settings.
5. In the System Properties dialog, click the Environmental Variables button.
6. In the Environment Variables dialog, click the New, Edit, or Delete buttons to add, edit, or delete system or user variables.
7. Click OK.

• Windows 7:

1. Click Start > Control Panel > System.
2. In the System panel, click Advanced system settings.
3. In the System Properties dialog box, select the Advanced tab.
4. Click the Environment Variables button.
5. In the Environment Variables dialog, click the New, Edit, or Delete buttons to add, edit, or delete system or user variables.

• Windows Vista:

1. Navigate to Start > Control Panel.
2. Click Classic view.
3. Double-click System.
4. Click Advanced system settings.
5. Click the Environment Variables button.
6. Add, edit, or delete a variable.
7. Click OK.

• Windows XP/2003:

1. Right-click My Computer and select Properties.
2. Click the Advanced tab.
3. Click the Environment Variables button.
4. Add, edit, or delete a variable.
5. Click OK.

• Windows 2000:

1. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel.
2. Double-click the System icon.
3. Select the Advanced tab.
4. Select the Environment Variables button.
5. Add, edit, or delete a variable.
6. Click OK.

• Windows NT:

1. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel.
2. Double-click the System icon.
3. Select the Environment tab.
4. To edit an existing variable, select a System variable. Modify the value.
5. To add a new variable, select a System variable, and type a new name and value in the respective fields.
6. Click Set, Apply, and OK.

• Windows Millennium Edition:

1. Click Start > Run.
2. In the Open box and type msconfig. Click OK.
3. Click the Environment tab; click New.
4. Enter the Variable and Value information and click OK.
5. While in the Environment tab, click the check box that corresponds to the new entry.
6. Click the General tab and select Normal Startup from the Startup selection.
7. Click OK and Yes to restart the computer.

• Windows 95/98:

1. Open the autoexec.bat file in a text editor, such as Notepad. The autoexec.bat file is usually located on the root directory of the C: drive.
2. Edit the desired variables and save.

SET TEMP = C:\Windows\Temp

3. The system must be rebooted for the new environment to take effect.

• UNIX:
  Edit the environment file for the system, usually through the .cshrc file located in the user's home directory. Check with a system administrator if assistance is needed.